The studio is now developing a sequel to the movie, and has already scratched September 25, 2015 into its day planner for the US release. That’s before, of course, it has locked down a writer or even a director.

Genndy Tartakovsky, whose bouncy, often loony animation style was the definite highlight of the first movie, has already moved on to his next project, a new take on Popeye that will hit cinemas in 2014. Which, unless Sony can persuade him, means he’s out of the running to direct.

But we’d expect Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, CeeLo Green, David Spade and the rest to show up again, especially since they can just clown around in the voice booth. All we ask for this time is a slightly better script on which to base the solid idea of a refuge for monsters…